My first network, some info needed.

Camalot

Camalot

Camalot

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Joined
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Wolverhampton
Hi guys, im going to be building a network tomorrow and need some help, ive never done it before, only gone as far as building a single pc.

Its my birthday and im getting a laptop ! Nothing special, but id like to have it on wireless, but keeping my pc through a cable (dont want pc connected wireless as well)

Atm i just have a wire coming upstairs into a usb modem. As far as im aware, i need a router, which can connect to my pc and also allow my laptop to connect wireless?

I know i sound confused, any1 able to help me :)

Thanks.
 
Hi Camalot,

You may want to take this a step at a time, as setting up a secure wireless link can be time-consuming and frustrating the first time.

I'd recommend you start by wiring up your PC through a cable to a router, you will need the ingredients first:

1 x router (with wireless and modem features, but make sure the modem is compatible with your broadband connection)

1 x ethernet cable

1 x network card (your PC may well have one already, you need to check)

If you get 2 ethernet cables, you can get your laptop working as well, until you have the wireless connection working.

That's a starting point!

Michael
 
Do you have any idear what kind of router / network card i should buy? Im on PIPEX Xtreme 1mb broadband at the mo.

My pc doesnt have a network card, i know this because i built the pc hehe :)

I was looking round shops and seen some router, do i need an ethernet port in my pc? I guess i need to buy an ethernet card? Cant remember if my motherboard has the port.

Also, i take it this laptop is ok, its a ACER AS3682WXMI from a site i cant say:(

Processor speed: 1.6 GHz
Processor: Intel Celeron Mobile
Screen size: 14.1 inches
Storage (hard drive): 40 GB
Memory (RAM): 512 MB
Shared graphics: 224MB (Dont want laptop for high gaming :) )
Media Center xp OS

I can just format it and put xp home on no probs? Laptop should come with all the driver cds? :) laptop also says its got Built-in wireless networking and Wired networking.


This is my setup at the mo, sorry for my paint skillz.

untitledqh3.jpg
 
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Camalot,

As far as the router goes, you may want to check the forums and see what's is being recommended. Obviously, you may get a better price online than in the shops. Overclockers has a full range.

The things you need to consider with a router are:

1. ADSL or Cable connection, I don't know which one pipex falls into.
2. The wireless speed, unless you want to transfer large files around or stream video from one to the other, you won't need anything more than 54g. This is also the cheaper option.

Dlink and Linksys get good reviews, as do Belkin. Check the forum for recommendations.

If you need a network card, then go for a 100mbit basic card. These are VERY cheap, you won't need to spend more than a tenner at most. An ethernet card and a network card are the same thing. You may well have this built into the motherboard, check it out.

By the way, the USB modem you have will be replaced by the router.

Your laptop should have a built in networking, both wireless and wired. You may want to check first.

The cables are described as Cat5e, you can make them or buy them. Again these are cheap.
 
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Thankyou for the information mate:)

The laptop does say built in wired/wireless networking, does this mean i wont have to buy an ad-on card for it? My new router will connect to it as it is? :)

BTW Pipex is ADSL :)
 
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Camalot,

Excellent, a card won't be needed for the laptop.

ADSL? I would recommend you look at the forums for a recommended model of router, but this should do the job:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=NW-017-NG

Most wireless routers usually have wired as well, the one above does.

Have you checked whether the motherboard of your PC has built in networking? If it doesn't, this will do the job if you have a free PCI slot:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=NW-024-DL

Cables can be found here, and you will need patch cables, not crossovers:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/productlist.php?groupid=46&catid=150

Again, check the forums, this is a regulary discussed topic and lots of reviews on routers.

I'm excited for you! Wahey!

Best wishes,

Michael
 
Thanks, the router you showed me looks nicer! and is cheaper! wayhay!

Just a question about setting up....at the mo i have a phone cable coming out the phone socket into the usb modem. Am i right in thinking this usb modem will be replaced by that router, and my phone cable stays where it is, and slots into the back of my router? Then an ethernet cable going from the router, into the pci network card you showed me ? Then the laptop can connect wireless to the router later ? :)

Hope ive got that right.
 
michael baxter said:
Here is another, and cheaper:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=NW-044-LS
(5 stars)
Click to expand...

Thanks,

Should i buy the netgear pci network card since the router is a netgear? Or will ** d-link one be fine?

EDIT.

My mobo says its got the following port.

Rear Panel I/O - 1 x RJ45 LAN port
LAN - Realtek RTL8201CL 10/100 Ethernet LAN PHY
- 802.3u, WOL supported

This is ok instead of a network card? :)
 
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I've just bought: -

Belkin Cat5e Network Patch Cable 1m - Grey x 2 (2nd to connect laptop b4 i attempt wireless, and to use as a spare later on )

Linksys WAG354G-UK 4-Port Wireless-G Broadband Modem Router.

Selected to deliver tomorrow for my birthday :)

Thanks for the help, ill be posting pics here and asking for further help on setting up soon :) :) :)

Knowing my luck ill miss the delivery whilst im out buying the laptop haha !
 
This is driving me up the wall :mad:

I plug it in set it all up all lights was on that was ment to be on, the laptop said connected signal strenght exellent but wudnt finish instalation saying cant connect to internet. I unplugged it from my old modem straight into router and the "dsl" light turned on. Wudnt let me connect to internet tho

Some1 suggested i reset it, so i did, and now the power lights just flashing on and off all the time and cant get no connectivity out it.

OH and btw ty ocuk it come full of dust over it, a scratch on the front and no manual, thanks.

Anyway, could any1 help me.
 
Camalot said:
I plug it in set it all up all lights was on that was ment to be on, the laptop said connected signal strenght exellent but wudnt finish instalation saying cant connect to internet. I unplugged it from my old modem straight into router and the "dsl" light turned on. Wudnt let me connect to internet tho
Click to expand...

Ok that made little sense to me.

You've plugged the router into the phone line, then you've plugged either the PC or the Laptop into the router yes?

Can you connect to the routers config page?
 
oddjob62 said:
Ok that made little sense to me.

You've plugged the router into the phone line, then you've plugged either the PC or the Laptop into the router yes?

Can you connect to the routers config page?
Click to expand...

The phone line into back of router, then ethernet cable into the back of the pc. The power light is just flashing on and off, and the network wizard on the cd just says can't detect router. I pressed the reset button its not worked since then.

I did have it working my laptop could connect to it wireless as well, just no internet.

The power icon never used to flash like this, could it be broken :(
 
Camalot,

Have they sent you a 'seconds' by any chance, what state was the packaging in? You may consider getting a returns.

Firstly, connect the laptop with the cable. Open your 'network connections', and check there is an 'connected' icon for your ethernet connection. If you have one for your modem or wireless, delete them. Let me know if you don't get a connection. If you do, then:

Next, double click the icon, to get the local area connection status. Then click properties, select TCP/IP and click properties. The selections should be set to the automatic options. If so, read you manual to see how you connect to the router via a webpage, so you can configure the router. The manual will probably be on the cd.

You won't get an internet connection until you configure the router, this is normal.

Perhaps you do have a faulty router, but I can assure you they can be tricky to set up, which is why I recommended going wired only at first.

Let me know how you get on!

Michael
 
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I used to be able to access router settings through IE but i cant since i hit reset.

This is what shows in network connections

untitledfj7.jpg


If i click repair, it hangs then says cant repair because an ip cant be assigned.

As for "seconds" when i opend the box the plugs and router was FULL of dust, the router has 2 little scratches on it, not very noticable but hey there there ! I was discusted tbh.

According to their trouble shoot site a flashing power LED means corrupt firmware. They say in order to upate firmware i need to type ipconfig/all and get the router ip address to type into the update program they gave me.

Ipconfig/all does not display any ip next to defult gateway, its totally blank. So i cant upgrade firmware.

Could cry i swear, i just cant get it working and it now looks like its broken.
 
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